Since we have lived in New York City, we have noticed that The Little Owl regularly appears on lists of the best restaurants in Greenwich Village and in Manhattan. We first learned of The Little Owl, however, by another distinction it has–it is located on the first floor of the building that was used in the TV show Friends. The exterior is painted bright red with a blue awning and large windows, which immediately draws the eyes to the restaurant, but in a fun, quaint way. The restaurant itself is quite small, with room only for a few tables, but the size gives a cozy, not cramped, feel. The large windows make the interior brightly lit, with cream colored walls and wooden tables. There is even a small bench elevated a few feet above the floor for patrons waiting for a table, complete with a few owl-shaped trinkets around the bench. The whole restaurant feels cozy, quaint, and just puts you in a happy mood.

We went to The Little Owl for brunch (reservations are essential there since the restaurant is so small) on a Saturday in the late morning. The staff there was friendly and made our entire visit enjoyable. We ordered beignets with nutella and raspberry sauce and brioche french toast with stewed strawberry sauce. Both items were impeccable and full of flavor. The beignets were a wonderful toasted brown color coated with sugar, and the raspberry sauce gave a delightful zing to each bite. The french toast was equally flavorful and rich, with the strawberry sauce adding a lovely sweetness. We loved our food as much as we enjoyed the restaurant itself, making our experience at The Little Owl a memorable one.

The Little Owl lived up to its billing. It was charming and delightful, both in its ambiance and its flavor. It was one of our favorite dining experiences while in New York City, perhaps anywhere, and we encourage you to try it for yourself.